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Estes parents press board over STEM cuts, larger classes and lost instructional assistance
Summary
Several Estes Elementary parents and teachers addressed the board during public comment to urge restoration of elementary STEM programming, more instructional assistants, and steps to ease overcrowding.
Parents from Estes Elementary told the Buncombe County Board of Education Thursday they are concerned about recent cuts to elementary STEM programming, larger class sizes, and the loss of instructional assistants.
"To take that away now is to deny our children future opportunities," Anna Guthy, an Estes parent, told the board, urging the district to communicate earlier and collaborate on alternatives such as grants, fundraising or community partnerships. Guthy said parents learned about the STEM cut through informal channels and requested a seat at planning tables.
Susie Heinisch, another Estes parent, said classrooms are "maxed" and staff morale is strained; she said some rooms have reached up to 32 students. "Instructional aids provide essential support, especially in the early grades," Heinisch said, and she urged the board to prioritize re-hiring support staff and reinvesting in elementary STEM.
Sarah Schur, also an Estes parent, asked the board to address the three central concerns: loss of STEM, fewer instructional assistants, and overcrowding. She said Estes previously had an hour-long STEM elective offered daily in rotation, and said its elimination removes early exposure to problem-solving and hands-on learning.
The board took no immediate action during public comment but members said they were listening to community concerns and noted budget discussions later on the agenda that relate to staffing and program funding.
